After the March

​Some people called it a revolution.  Other's called it a demonstration and a protest.  Many were afraid to go in fear of violence, and others were apathetic.

What I know to be true is 175,000 people participated in the Women's March in Seattle and it was incredible.  The sense of solidarity was beyond words and the energy was alive.   We were part of an international collective that had a voice that was heard throughout the world.  I am proud to have been part of this historic event!

On Saturday morning as we were driving into town, I was excited and a bit anxious about what we were about to "walk' into.  The city was beginning to become alive.  People were walking down the sidewalks, signs in hand, pink hats upon their heads, chattering and laughing as they made their way to where the march would begin.  Our arrival was simple.  We parked, we walked, we had breakfast, we explored and we waited to begin.

During the day, I was most struck by how everyone there was of like minds and how all of the cultures and beliefs and orientations and ages and gender came together to blend into a magnificent gathering.

There was a family standing on the curb.  A little girls who was probably 3 years old was sitting up on her daddy's shoulders.  She was holding a sign, that was almost as big as she was, that said 'I love you with all of my heart'.  And in her sweet young innocent voice she yelled out to the marchers again and again,  'I love you with all of my heart'.  She was the reason we were all there.

Marching decades ago, and now, here is what was the same: The feeling of solidarity and the fundamental reason to have our voices heard.  Community building.  Common ground.  The desire for peace.  The passion for change.  YES we can.

Here is what was different: We were not angry - we were marching in solidarity to let the world know what we believe in. It was a march, not a demonstration or revolution.  There was no violence.  Entire families came together.  There were good conversations. It embraced and welcomed everyone.
​
 And here is what I know; I feel I have come full circle and I have the feeling of being complete.  My work is not done.  There are things I must do in order to help support the energy that was created this past weekend.  I feel so very proud to be a 'wisdom carrier' and to part of the new paradigm of change.  Much has happened for equal rights since I started protesting 40 years ago, and it is imperative that we make sure we hold onto what we have done and step forward to create an even better and stronger alliance.  I am so very grateful to have the honor to be part of this movement.  I am humbled and proud.